About the list: I'm compelled to deviate from my very strict policy of one album only per artist or band in making this list. A strict application would lead to weird consequences, since Christian Williams, Sons of Perdition and Slackeye Slim excels in this genre. They are the stalwarts of the gothic western genre.

No

Cover

Album

Artist

Notes

1

Built with Bones

(2007)

Christian Williams

A very fastidious album inspired by the nature and history of the American prairie. Descibed as "13 songs of gothic country, inspired by mortality, the Book of Revelation and the dark side of love". This is gothic prairie music at its finest.

2

Trinity

(2013)

Sons of Perdition

Trinity tells the story of a fool’s hellish journey through the blood-soaked deserts of the American Southwest through religious, occult, and alchemical allusions. It's 72 minutes long. Disclaimer: not for the faint-hearted.

3

El Santo Grial: La Pistola Piadosa

(2011)

Slackeye Slim

This critically-acclaimed album was described by the site No Depression as “what Ennio Morricone would have sounded like if he wanted to be Link Wray when he grew up.” Built around themes of revenge, a man and a gun. A true masterpiece.

4

The Kingdom is on Fire

(2007)

Sons of Perdition

Their debut album is often regarded as their “country” album (in the sense most country-like album). The overall theme is physical death. The album made an indelible impression on me, especially the song "Blood in the Valley".

5

Giving My Bones to the Western Lands

(2015)

Slackeye Slim

A worthy sequel to no. 3 on the list. Despite its darkness it's bursting of light, energy and lust for life. The vocals are more direct and ingenuous while the lyrics are more personal and sincere compared to the two previous albums. Digital only.

6

Defiant

(2007)

Christian Williams

Christian Williams' third album. Described as "dark country/folk music from the prairie featuring Gothic tales, toe-tapping lamentations and epitaphs". The songs "The Sad Song of Sequin Island","Henry May" and "The Barn By the Creek" stand out.

7

Texas Whore Pleaser

(2007)

Slackeye Slim

This debut album was never meant to be taken as anything but a collection of irreverent cowboy songs. Maybe irreverent, but it's full of gifted songwriting, innovative arrangements and hilarious lyrics. It outshines most other albums in the genre.

8

To the Trees

(2008)

Christian Williams

Christian Williams' fourth album. Described as "14 songs of dark country/folk about the paths we take and the choices we make". The songs "The Trail" and "Lake Effect" stand out.

9

The Dissolution Orphans

(2014)

Sons of Perdition

This isn't an album in its own right (demos and unreleased songs). The quality of the recordings vary greatly since they were never intended to be released. The album gives you an interesting insight in the works of Sons of Perdition. Digital only.

10

Music from the original sound tracks of "A Fistful of Dollars" & "For a Few Dollars More"

(1970)

Ennio Morricone

This album just have to be on the list. The reason for this extreme measure is that spaghetti-western sound has had a notable influence on the gothic western genre. No direct vocals, but the whistling and humming are exquisite.